The Story of the Green Lion

It was 1972.  I was 11 years old. Our Girl Scout troop, which met at Fieldale UMC - my home church, was preparing for our Christmas party and gift exchange.  It was to be one of those typical children's parties where everyone was to bring a gift worth a certain amount of money.  I have no idea what that amount was, but for some of the girls in our troop it must have seemed like a fortune.  Now remember, this was Henry County, VA, where most of our parents worked hard in furniture and textile factories.  They provided for their families, saved all they could, and still took out loans for vacations and special purchases. They had a pride in their work that showed in each piece of wood that was cut, each stroke of stain that was added, every piece of yarn that was woven into a sweatshirt or a towel, and each thread of nylon put onto a spindle. 

 

The gifts were to be numbered as we placed them under the Christmas tree in the church fellowship hall.  Later, we would each have our chance to draw a number and select the gift that matched.  I have no memory of what I brought.  Before the gift giving began, our troop leader pulled me aside.  The way I remember it, she shared with me that one of the girls was not able to bring a gift that was worth as much as the others but she and her family could not afford more.  If I would accept the gift that she had brought so that she would not be embarrassed, Mrs. Wilson would bring me another gift later.  So I took the number.  What I found inside the wrapping was a ball and jacks.

 

A short time after the party, Mrs. Wilson gave me a ceramic green lion: the same green lion with a tear coming from its eye that this day sits in a curio cabinet in one of the bedrooms of my house.  Each time I look at it, I'm reminded of the real meaning of the Advent season and Christmas.  Yet this year with all that is going on in the world, I'm drawn to the tear. 

• Our Christian belief in the true meaning of Christmas calls us to love each other, no matter how much money we have or where we live.  Today, there seems to be more hatred and questioning of each other than love and certainly little understanding of differing opinions. Maybe we all need to shed a tear this Advent.

• Christmas should remind us of the necessity of honoring one another as children of God, no matter what color our skin tone or number of years of experience on this earth.  But just listen to the news stories. We're about as far away from living in community as we can get. If we’re ever to become the beloved community of God, we need to shed lots of tears this Advent.

• If the collective whole is to thrive, the unique gifts each person offers must be recognized, appreciated, and respected: whether they are gold, frankincense, and myrrh or friendship, laugher, balls and jacks.  But sadness surrounds us because we can't see the value in one another or more importantly, even the value of life as stories of violence around the world escalate.  How can we not shed tears this Advent?

• And sometimes, we have to wait, eagerly anticipating what is yet to come - just as Advent calls us to search our hearts for a few weeks as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Emmanuel. However, as I write people are still battling with each other to get inside retail stores for the best deals on material stuff that a few weeks from now will mean little.  I wonder if Jesus is shedding a few tears over us this Advent?

I've decided that this Advent, I'm going to place a reminder from my journey of faith beside each correctly colored candle in my not-so-traditional Advent candle holder.  The green lion will be put out today.  And with it, if I can find them, will be a set of jacks with a ball.  May they continue to remind me of the most sacrificial gift I’ve ever received - God's Son - and keep me grounded in the real meaning of the season.

Make My Life an Alleluia

I was blessed recently to hear Ruth Elaine Schram's choir anthem, "Make My Life an Alleluia," for the first time.  I've found myself thinking about the second verse numerous times since then.

"Make my life an alleluia, a gift of love to You, my King.

I will join with all creation in the song that the heavens sing!

The earth will turn, and the planets spin, 

as the seasons ebb and flow;

Still, Your grace surrounds me as I go.

Lord, make my life an alleluia."

I have really found myself discerning the ebb and flow of the seasons, and how they return.  This might have a little to do with the fact that I now spend my work days focused on people who are aging, and the resulting impact that my job change is having on my contemplation of my own life course. Experiences of this week have added to all this deep thinking....

- "The earth will turn..."  I was on the Eastern Shore for a Learning Circle at the Hermitage on Tuesday.  I had just sat down to have breakfast when a familiar face appeared to my right.  There stood a former Exceptional Education teacher that I had worked with in the Henrico County Public Schools more than 15 years ago.  A reunion in the least expected place.  

- "...and the planets spin..."  During that Learning Circle, I was struck by a story shared by one of the participants.  He told us about both of his grandmothers who would tug on their gray hair and say, "You don't get this by being stupid."  I had to stop momentarily and consider how God's grace has sustained me to this point of gray hairs and the amazing people of generations before me who have mentored me by their wisdom and experience.  

- "...as the seasons ebb and flow..."  I was at a conference in Nashville several weeks ago when a woman asked if she could join the three of us who were sitting together.  As she introduced herself, I realized that she was the woman I had been sharing emails and telephone conversations with for 6 or more years as part of my service on the SEMAR Board of Trustees for the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The UMC.  Through all those years, we had never met, but suddenly in Nashville, we found each other.  She asked before leaving if she could take a selfie with me just to prove to all the others she worked with that I really did exist.  Today, one of her coworkers who had been in on many of those same emails and phone calls, called our office asking for the development person.  He got to me, and we talked as if we had known each other for years - not just as faceless voices, but true friends. 

God's plans, not mine.  God's timing, not mine.  God's grace: thank God it's mine! Now if my life can just be an alleluia, a gift of love in return.

Be the Leader...

I had the opportunity yesterday to hear Simon Sinek and see him face-to-face.  I had seen his TED talk on "Starting with Why?" but never thought I'd spend more than an hour of my day waiting in line to get a signed copy of his latest book.  Yet, I did stand in line for about 30 minutes to buy the book and then spent another 45 minutes waiting for his signature.  A great benefit of that time was the networking that occurred. 

The woman behind me in the purchase line works with the senior communities of The United Methodist Homes of New Jersey.  Her story was one of losing her long-time job in sales with a manufacturing company, then finding an opportunity with UMHNJ.  She ended her story with "I feel like I'm where I was supposed to be all along."  We talked about how both of our career paths had brought us to the places we now find ourselves and what Sinek had just told us in the general session about leadership not being measured on a daily basis, but only over time.

Standing in the second line with a CEO and board member from a continuing care community of Quaker heritage, I Iistened with great interest as they described how they used consensus and silence, true values of their faith heritage, in their board meetings and decision-making.  Intrigued by their style of governance and wishing that I could experience board leadership of that type, I caught myself reflecting on a statement that Sinek made during his presentation that "We've all sat in meetings and thought, I'll never get this time back."  I've been in way too many church meetings like that.

In front of me was a young man who was representing a construction company that specialized in senior communities.  He described how his grandfather inspired him to move from building office buildings to applying universal design principles in housing for seniors.  He spoke with great passion about this purpose that he had discovered for his life and vocation.  With three copies of the book in his hand, he asked Sinek to dedicate one to him and the two others to members of the team with whom he worked.  I heard him tell Sinek how much he appreciated his comments that leaders are not responsible for the results, but are responsible for the people who make the results.

My night ended in conversation with someone who said she was moved to tears during Sinek's presentation - not because something specific he said touched her, but because she wanted to so badly be in a setting where the type of leadership he described was evident.  "Leaders set the environment. Leaders go first, and make it safe for others to follow." - from Leaders Eat Last, the book I waited so long to have signed.

How different would our churches (and our world) be if we were the types of leaders who strive first to create a safe place for others to share their stories, tell us about their needs, and know that we are fully present in listening to and hearing them?  Of course, leadership can't stop with the listening, but requires commitment and action, often in challenging and demanding ways.  How willing are we to be demonatrate this type of leadership?

Making a Difference

Last Sunday after worship, I received a "thank you" for speaking the truth - the reality as I saw it - during a church meeting last spring. I was also thanked for asking for a time of prayer before a major decision and then offering that prayer at the same meeting.  For fourteen years I encouraged this in lay leadership training classes.  The one time I modeled it in my own church, I'm thanked months later for my courageousness.  I hadn't planned on going to that church meeting. Earlier in the day, however, I received a call from one of those in lay leadership just to talk through some questions. God nudged for the rest of the day, and so I went.  And now, months later, I'm told that my presence made a difference.

Today, while sitting at lunch with an 85+ year old, I listened as he described a 50-year reunion of co-workers that had taken place last Wednesday.  The group had worked together to create, construct, and deploy a satellite that gathered information from space that is still used in weather prediction models.  As he closed his story, he shared that he was so thankful that he could leave this type of legacy.  A second person came to join us who was about the same age.  After hearing stories from his ministry as a pastor, I asked him as the conversation came to an end, to do one thing for me:  pray that I might make a difference in my new work role.  "That I can do," he said.  

The e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary always ends with a section on asking the right questions. Months ago, there was a story about a church leader that asked one particular question before every major decision.  The question was something like this: Will those who come after us shake their heads and say "What were they thinking?" or will they thank us for our leadership?

My prayer for this day:  that we might all leave a legacy, big or small, that others will thank us for, hopefully before we take our last breaths. 

Thank Offerings

Here is the final devotion to go along with September's lessons in the International Bible Study series (for Sunday, September 28th).  The scripture focus is Jeremiah 33:2-11.  Again, if you haven't been following and want to know why this is being posted, look back 3 weeks.  After this, I'll be back to "normal" entries, whatever that is for me!  Here's the devotion, written during my last week working with the VAUMC Conference....

As I write this final devotion, I am close the end of my 14 years of service as part of the Connectional Ministries staff.  The question that caught my attention in the preparation materials for this week’s lesson was: “How do you mourn your losses?”  Let’s see, for the last few weeks, I’ve cried every time I’ve been asked to pray at the start or close of a meeting or phone call, while offering the blessing before a meal, and during the entire time that I was assisting Bishop Cho with serving Communion as the Bishop’s Cabinet and Connectional Ministries staff gathered together.  Yesterday, the tears came as I read cards from my fellow staff members.  Tonight it was while writing an email message for a gift I was honored to receive.  So, how do I mourn my losses while at the same time being excited about new possibilities?  I am eagerly looking forward to new things to learn, new adventures to undertake, and new relationships to form. Wait a minute!  Didn’t I start these devotions saying the same thing?

Jeremiah is still imprisoned when God reminds him once again that those who seek God and call upon God’s name will be joyful once again.  The voices of the faithful will be heard singing, laughing, and rejoicing.  They will bring their thank offerings to the Lord.  

Just like the inhabitants of Judah who had turned away from God, I’m giving thanks that God forgives:

- all my mistakes when I didn’t make the best choices over these 14 years – no, let me be honest and say over the last 53 years,

- my pride that doesn’t always let me admit I’m not perfect,

- procrastination when I’ve had lots of time to prepare,

- my weakness when I’ve thrown up my hands and yelled, “I can’t do this,” while knowing that God is the one who equips,

- and my complaining and whining which are certainly not reflective of who God wants me to be.

And I remember that God offers the healing:

- as I need to forgive myself for things left undone,

-when I harbor grudges or have a hard time forgiving the hurts,

- in times when I’ve had to accept God at work in ways that I didn’t plan for or want.

And I bring my thank offerings, realizing that difficult times are followed by recovery, that tears often come before laughter, that it takes chaos to bring about calm, and after Good Friday comes Easter.

A Little Gardening Therapy

I was very surprised to be asked to autograph a copy of this month's Advocate while visiting one of the VUMH communities this past week. Of course, the person wasn't serious, but it was nice to be recognized for writing a Bible study lesson.  Here's the devotion for Sunday, September 21, that goes along with the International Bible Study series on Jeremiah 32:2-9, 14-15. If you have missed why I'm sharing these lessons, look back 2 weeks.  Now, for a little gardening therapy..,.

 

War is raging. Jerusalem is under siege. Jeremiah sits in jail for his prophesying. And what does he decide to do?  Buy a piece of land from his cousin.  Everything is going badly yet in the midst of it, Jeremiah decides to make a commitment that shows those around him how God has promised that the future will be different.  Jeremiah demonstrates the kind of hope, the commitment to action, that prepares the ground for the future.  It’s the kind of hope that can prepare the church for a new day, a new reality, a new way of being in community.

 

There is a quote from Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit by Paul Chilcote that reads “…inner healing requires a long process of divine therapy.”  There are days when I realize that in addition to lots of divine therapy, I need dirt therapy.  I just need to play in the soil – to plant and trim and create.  I need to turn the soil with a shovel and push the wheelbarrow.  There are times when I need to dig up dead rose bushes and replace them with new ones.  And get the scratches to prove I did it.  I need to pull weeds, and haul all the dead stuff to the dump.  There are just times when I need to get dirty and sweat while playing in God’s creation.  Dirt therapy: as a professionally trained social worker, I recommend it highly.

 

As a Christian who knows that no matter what happens God’s final word is always renewal, there’s nothing better to remind me of who is ultimately in charge of all life than playing in the dirt.  When healing and wholeness for whatever struggles we face are needed, there is no better therapy.  The tulips will bloom again, the herbs will grow, the seasons will change.  God is always making an investment in the future.  My job is to prepare the soil, care for the seeds, and prepare for the growth and changes.  As Christians and as a church, do our lives, choices, and priorities show that we are making an investment in the future, or are we too preoccupied with life’s trials and woes? Are you willing today to go out and buy a piece of property? Or even commit to cutting the dead limbs off the rose bush?

Equipped for the Present and the Future

Well, The Advocate has arrived in people's mailboxes, and my mother has told me how many copies of the September Bible study she forced the church secretary to make.  You can see more about why I'm sharing these devotions in the start of last week's blog. Guess it's time now to share the devotion I wrote for September 14th based on Jeremiah 31:31-37. 

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette composed the words of a hymn, sung to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me,” where the verses tell the story of God’s covenant with Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, and Jeremiah.  The fourth verse of “Long Ago, God Reached in Love,” reads:

“Jeremiah came to know:

God would help us change and grow;

so God’s law would fill each heart,

giving us a fresh new start.”

The final verse of her hymn shares that Jesus came to fulfill God’s loving plan for us. This new life through Christ is what transforms us and the world.  With all that is wrong with the world, our faith in God guides us toward hope and joy.  As Jeremiah told his people, the present may be filled with despair and weeping, but God promises a different future – a fresh start, a new covenant.

Several years ago I helped with a New Consecration Sunday stewardship program at a church in the Richmond area. As I was preparing to meet with church leaders, there were many things happening in the world which brought devastation to communities and fear to hearts. I researched a little history of 1972, the year I was confirmed into membership in The UMC.  Some of the things I read seemed strangely similar to events around our world then and even today….

• Back in 1972, the world was concerned about an outbreak of smallpox in Yugoslavia.  Now, the death till is rising from the Ebola virus.
• A 7.0 earthquake killed 1/5th of the population of the Iranian province of Fars in 1972. The news stories of the past weeks have focused on recovery in China following an upper magnitude quake, typhoons in The Philippines, and hurricanes headed toward Hawaii. 
• In 1972, the last U.S. ground troops were withdrawn from Vietnam.  Our family now awaits the return of a soldier from Afghanistan.

Today, as my faith journey enters the second half of a century, I realize more and more clearly how each of us has the power to shape and change the lives of others – those in our families, those sitting next to us in the pews on Sunday morning, and people around the world – by the example of our discipleship as followers of Jesus. God’s promises don’t change our circumstances.  The world situation or our personal crisis may not suddenly be transformed. Yet we are called to remember that we’re living under God’s new covenant, one that equips us for the present and the future. So the question for each of us is this: “What is God calling me to do to extend Christ’s transforming, restorative love to others?”